Incidents of crime in February decreased slightly, with 16 incidents, down from 24 incidents in January. Well done to our team who made 5 arrests last month!
Unfortunately, likely due to the prolonged lockdown, many people are growing increasingly desperate to make ends meet or provide for themselves and their families. The majority of crime incidents in February were robberies and petty theft all of which can largely be classified as opportunistic crimes, as they are often motivated by the perception that one or one’s property is an easy target.
There are still a large number of incidents where vehicles are being left unattended with valuables visible. Even seemingly invaluable items, such as clothing, is valuable to someone with very little and can make your vehicle a target for theft. Many of the recent vehicle theft cases opened involve bakkies which have been left unattended, even for a few minutes, with valuable power tools or toolboxes left visible.
Currently, Cape Town has the highest reported number of cases of theft out of motor vehicles in South Africa. Only we have the power to change this fact. We urge you to always check that your car is locked before walking away and to never leave any items, whether they are of value or not, visible inside your car.
Another trend has emerged where criminals are targeting individuals using their cell phones in public. There have been cases where suspects drive up to you in a car, jump out their car to grab your cell phone, and then drive away before you can react.
Using your cell phone on the street or having it visible turns you into a target. Please avoid displaying your cell phone in public if possible to avoid being marked as a target, and continue to stay vigilant at all times.
Remember to keep our 24/7 patrol vehicle numbers on hand for assistance, and don’t hesitate to contact them if you ever feel at-risk:
GP CID PATROL VEHICLE
082 214 3228
OK CID PATROL VEHICLE
082 217 1386
